Boris Johnson resignation a blow for May's hold on power

Boris Johnson’s seismic shifts on Brexit hastened the demise of British prime minister David Cameron and his latest move has rocked Theresa May’s grip on power to its core.

Foreign Secretary Johnson sensationally quit May’s government with a resignation letter accusing her of flying "white flags" of surrender in negotiations with the European Union.

Johnson followed Brexit Secretary David Davis out the door as government consensus on future trade ties with the bloc disintegrated less than three days after it was forged, and nine months before Britain was due to leave the EU.

It’s not the first time Johnson, a MP for the centre-right Conservative Party, has left the party leadership stunned.

In 2016 during the leadup to the historic Brexit referendum, the flamboyant, rotund politician with the shaggy blond mop surprisingly backed the ‘Leave’ campaign.

Then prime minister Cameron was furious after he had counted on his former school chum from the elite Eton College to back his stance of staying in the EU.

Bishop is keen to continue Australia and the UK's strong relationship under new UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, noting her achievements working with Johnson in recent years.

"What Australia wants to see is stability and certainty and we want to continue working with the UK government on matters of concern to us. That includes a free trade agreement when the time is appropriate," Bishop said.

Although the loss of two senior cabinet ministers, followed by several junior ministers proved a brutal blow, there appears no appetite in the Conservative Party for a leadership contest – for now.

Under Conservative Party rules, a confidence vote in a leader can be triggered if 48 Conservative MPs write a letter requesting one.

Leading pro-Brexit MP Jacob Rees-Mogg said he didn't think she would face a leadership challenge.

"My concern is about the policy rather than the individual," he said.

Tim Bale, a political expert at Queen Mary University of London, told the Washington Post that although May is in a difficult spot, “I don’t think it’s necessarily fatal for her — at the moment anyways.”

But European Union frustration with British political divisions is growing.

Boris Johnson at a street rugby tournament in Tokyo and campaigning on his bike. (Photos: AP). (EPA/AAP)

Britain and the EU hope to reach broad agreement by October so the national parliaments of the remaining countries can ratify a deal before that happens.

European Council President Donald Tusk said Monday that "the mess caused by Brexit is the biggest problem in the history of EU-UK relations and it is still very far from being resolved".

May was asked by an opposition MP on Monday whether she would contest a vote of confidence if one came rather than resign.

"Nice try," she said with a touch of bravado. "But I'm getting on with delivering what the British people want."